The NFL and its locked-out officials weren’t talking two days before the season begins, a clear indication replacements will be on the field for Wednesday night’s opener.

Doesn’t matter, according to many of the guys who call the plays or carry them out.

“We’re going to play the games regardless,” San Diego Chargers All-Pro safety Eric Weddle said Monday. “Each week, each game, each practice, they’ll get better, so it’s not a concern of ours. Regardless, we’ve got to go out there and execute and take it out of their hands. Let’s go out and play good football, execute at a high level and then they won’t be in position to throw flags and make judgment calls.”

Broncos coach John Fox echoed those thoughts.

“In this game you’ve got to overcome a lot of things,” Fox said. “You’ve got to overcome the other team. Sometimes you’ve got to overcome your own mistakes. So, officials have always been a part of it and they’ve never been an excuse. So, I don’t care who’s out there, we’ve got to worry about how we’re playing and we’ll deal with whatever they call, whether it’s old guys, new guys, middle guys. Their stuff sometimes influences the game, but you’ve got to overcome that.”

Both sides met for three days last week, but did not reach an agreement to end the three-month lockout. The league and the NFL Referees Association, which covers more than 120 on-field officials, are at odds over salary, retirement benefits and operational issues.

MJD starts from scratch

Maurice Jones-Drew will begin the season much like he did his NFL career: a backup and third-down running back.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey said Jones-Drew (UCLA) will rotate in on third-down plays Sunday at Minnesota. The NFL’s leading rusher in 2011 also will “get a series” in place of starter Rashad Jennings, Mularkey added.

“I don’t know the number of reps that he will play, but I would imagine that he will play, yes,” Mularkey said.

Jones-Drew ended a 38-day holdout Sunday without a new contract. He asked the team to rework the final two years of his five-year, $31 million contract, but the Jaguars declined.

Jones-Drew practiced with the team Monday for the first time since before last year’s finale.

“It felt great,” he said.

Also …

San Diego running back Ryan Mathews went through individual drills for the first time since breaking his collarbone Aug. 9, and hopes he can play in the season opener Monday night against Oakland. … Buffalo backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen accepted a $1million pay cut to improve his chances of staying on the team entering the season. … Cleveland rookie running back Trent Richardson returned to practice for the first time since undergoing knee surgery Aug. 9, a strong sign he will play Sunday against Philadelphia.

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